Improvement in baggage-checks



UNITED STATE$ PATENT QFFICE.

IMPROVEMENT IN BAGGAGE-CHECKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 116,667, dated J nly 4, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS XAVIER BELLE- RIVE, of Plattsburg, in the county of Clinton and State of New York, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Baggage-Checks; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawing making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 is the larger-sized check in front view. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the smallersized check. Fig. 3 is a front or face view 01' the smaller check. 7

My invention has relation to an improvement in means for marking baggage with name and destination in traveling; and it consists in the construction of a leather case or bag adapted to contain a card of directions, provided with a slot or slots through which these directions may be seen, and so arranged that the strap which serves as a means of attachment to the handle of the trunk or other article shall prevent the said card from slipping out of the case. These bags or cases are made of thick leather on one side, where the reading-slot is placed, while the back may be formed of thin or split leather, which is preferably provided with a smooth coating in the manner of patent leather to prevent wear, as this is the side which will be always rubbed and worn the most in service. The cases are usually made of two sizes, some directions being written in larger characters, as they are required to be read at a greater distance.

A of the drawing designates the case or bag, which is formed of two pieces of leather, a and b, the said pieces being sewn together from the point 0 to the point (I. At the upper end, to which the strap is fastened, there is no seam, and here the card i) of directions is slipped into the bag. In the smaller size the single slot in the face-leather is used; but in the larger size a single slot would allow the card to be easily lost. Hence two slots, k, are used pa 'allel with each other, and divided by the leather bar or strap 6, which serves to keep the card in the case. It also serves as a protection to the card in the handlin g; otherwise the directions upon the card would become speedily obliterated. B represents the leather strap by means of which the case is secured to the trunk. In the smaller checks this strap is preferably made entire, with one or the other of the leather pieces a b, a slot, 0, being made near the upper end of the remaining piece of leather for the passage of the strap, which in this manner, as shown at f, Fig. 1, secures the card in the case. If the strap is a part of piece a, the slot c is cut in piece I). In order to secure the check to the handle of a trunk or piece of baggage a slit, h, may be made in the end of the strap for the passage of the card-case A, in the manner of securing ordinary baggage-checks. For the further protection of the card of directions, especially in wet weather, a slip, I, of mica is employed, being passed in between the face of the card and the leather. This slip of mica also serves to prevent the card from being easily bent up between the sides of the case.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The baggage-check case herein described, made of leather, and provided with the guardstrapc and attaching-st ap B,'substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANCIS XAVIER BELLERIVE. Witnesses:

J AMES AVERILL, S. K. Monrrr'r. 

